Senior Strategic Communications Advisor (2)

← Back to search results Apply By: Friday, October 9, 2026 11:59 pm EDT Senior Strategic Communications Advisor Job ID: 248545 Posting status: Open Organization: Ministry of Transportation Division: Corporate Services Division / Communications Branch City: Toronto Position(s) language: English Job term: 1 Permanent, 1 Temporary - up to 10 months with the possibility of extension Job code: 6A005 - Communications06 Salary: $86,379.00 - $127,288.00 Per year
Apply now Accessibility support Help shape and communicate some of Ontario's most significant programs and initiatives
As a Senior Strategic Communications Advisor, you'll lead high-profile communications strategies and projects that support government priorities, tackle complex issues, and provide strategic advice to senior decision-makers. In this fast-paced and rewarding role, you'll have the unique opportunity to see your work reflected in the day's news while making an impact across the province
Meet the team
You'll be joining an experienced and talented team that consistently delivers high-quality work while fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. Team members share knowledge, support one another, and are always willing to step in when it matters most. You'll be led by a people-focused manager who values trust, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth, and is committed to helping team members build confidence and develop their strengths. About the jobIn this role, you will:
• Lead the planning, development and implementation of a broad range of strategic communications projects and initiatives, and the development and maintenance of client relationships in support of government and ministry programs, services, goals and priorities
• Identify, analyze and provide advice on communications requirements and issues related to ministry policies, programs, legislation, regulations and services
• Lead branch teams to develop and implement communications strategies for cross-divisional and cross-government initiatives
• Use creative and outside-the-box thinking to ensure that the ministry is effectively reaching its audience What you bring to the team
Strategic Communications Planning and DevelopmentYou can:
• provide expertise and leadership in the development and execution of integrated communications strategies and implementation plans for high-profile program initiatives
• lead the development and recommendation of proactive strategies and programs to anticipate high-profile opportunities or contentious issues and enable prompt response
• develop long-term project plans that address client requirements, stakeholder interests, environmental factors, and other considerations
• manage all phases of ministry communications projects
Project Management and Leadership Skills:You can:
• Lead branch and cross-divisional teams to develop and deliver external communications strategies
• Provide technical direction and guidance to both staff and external communication service providers
• Collaborate with clients and stakeholders on communications projects/initiatives
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and monitor performance
Technical Knowledge:• You have knowledge of policy development and legislative and political decision-making processes to manage ministry issues by providing accurate and timely responses
• You can provide strategic communication advice and expertise to all levels of the ministry on communications requirements for ministry programs and goals
• You can analyze and assess public opinion, media perceptions and stakeholder positions
Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:You can:
• identify, research and analyze emerging, contentious issues, potential problems and opportunities that require communications expertise
• formulate innovative strategies and communications plans, mitigate adverse impact and develop and propose the optimum response or course of action, incorporating best practices
• lead or conduct impact evaluations to ensure that strategic communications positioning is consistent with government and ministry priorities
• assess communications requirements in light of ministry priorities and develop over-arching, seamless communications strategies and products that support objectives, positioning and priorities
Interpersonal and Influencing Skills:• You have stakeholder/relationship management skills and political acuity to build and maintain collaborative relationships with clients, management, staff, and other stakeholders
• You have consultation and advisory skills to provide strategic advice and tactical guidance to ministry colleagues, senior management, and executive offices
• You can advise branch communications staff on the planning, implementation and evaluation of strategic and internal communications plans, programs and initiatives
• You have consensus-building, mediation and collaboration skills to chair/facilitate difficult discussions and meetings with diverse groups of stakeholders, some of whom may have opposing agendas, positions and/or views Don't meet every qualification?If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate! How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibilityWe are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.
Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

What we offerThe Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:
• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment Additional information: Apply by: Friday, October 9, 2026 11:59 pm EDT Position details:

• 1 English Permanent, 777 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region
• 1 English Temporary, duration up to 10 months, 777 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region

Compensation group: Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario Work hours: Schedule 6 Category: Communications; Marketing and Creative Services Posted on: Thursday, September 24, 2026

Note:

• Less qualified applicants may be considered on an underfill basis.
• The information that you provide for the purpose of this competition and the results from this competition may be used to fill other positions. These positions may be of various tenures including short-term assignments. Your information and the results from this competition will be retained for the purpose of filling vacancies in accordance with the applicable collective agreement or policy provisions.
• C-MT-248545/26(2)

How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.

Strengthening Ontario, together

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